Professor Sprout used to bring the most interesting specimens (some of which dance and talk) from the Herbology greenhouses to decorate Hufflepuff Basement. This was one of the reasons why Hufflepuffs were often very good in her subject.[13]

Nymphadora Tonks: "I was never a prefect myself. My Head of House said I lacked certain necessary qualities."

Sprout, being the HerbologyProfessor, planted a large amount of Devil's Snare in her Chamber, which broke the fall of the one trying to get the Stone but also tried to kill them. The trick was to use fire[17] or sunlight[18] to force the Snare into retreat.

On the first lesson of the school year, Sprout taught her fourth year students how to squeeze pus from Bubotubers. By the end of the lesson, each student had collected several pints, which Sprout gave to Poppy Pomfrey, the school matron, since it could be used to remedy acne.[28]

Second Wizarding War

High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge

"The teachers were of course forbidden from mentioning the interview by Educational Decree Number Twenty-Six, but they found ways to express their feelings about it all the same. [For instance,] Professor Sprout awarded Gryffindor twenty points when Harry passed her a watering can."

The GryffindorO.W.L.-level class was lectured by Professor Sprout on the importance of the examinations during their first Herbology class.[38] Sprout also had the students make a practical exercise which involved using dragon dung fertiliser. She also set them a long essay for the following lesson.[38]

Sprout managed to show Professor Umbridge her teaching capability and avoided being sacked herself.[41] She was later relieved to have Umbridge removed from the school and welcomed Professor Dumbledore back as Headmaster.

1996-1997 and Battle of the Astronomy Tower

Horace Slughorn: "… I do thank you for taking the time, Pomona. Most authorities agree that they are at their most efficacious if picked at twilight."

Not long after, Sprout had her sixth year class harvesting Snargaluff pods. She chided Harry, Ron and Hermione for being slow; as they were still strapping on their protective gear (and talking), while Neville had already harvested his first pod. The trio's first pod bounced free while they were trying to open it, and rebounded off the glass roof of the greenhouse, knocking Professor Sprout's battered hat off.[44]

Sprout attended Dumbledore's funeral and led the Hufflepuffs down to the grounds where the ceremony was held, looking cleaner than she ever had been before; without a single patch on her usually battered hat.[49]

The Carrows were put in charge of all discipline and punishments, though Sprout and the staff never sent students to them if they could avoid it. She also, with the other Heads of House, tried to protect the pupils from Alecto and Amycus.[53]

One night, after being woken up by Minerva McGonagall's cat patronous, Professors Sprout, Flitwick and Slughorn, and, still in their night-clothes, went to find out what she wanted. They found Minerva McGonagall duelling Snape to the death, and, after being defeated, Snape then ran into a classroom, chased by Flitwick, Sprout and McGonagall, and flew out of the window, escaping them.[52]

During the hour-long break in the Battle, Sprout helped treating wounded fighters in the Great Hall.[54]

Sprout also witnessed the duel between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort in the Great Hall and, after Voldemort's spell rebounded on him, Sprout, Flitwick and McGonagall all reached to hug Harry at the same time, while everyone else joined in.[55]

A celebration feast was later held, but no one sat in their proper house tables; teachers, parents and students were all jumbled up.[55] Sprout sat by Filius Flitwick and Horace Slughorn, chatting and drinking a cup of tea.[54]

Sprout, Flitwick and Slughorn after the Battle.

Later life

Physical description

"Professor Sprout was a squat little witch who wore a patched hat over her flyaway hair; there was usually a large amount of earth on her clothes, and her fingernails would have made Aunt Petunia faint."

Professor Sprout was described as being a squat little witch with short, grey, wavy hair.[7] She usually wore a patched and battered hat.[7] Her clothes were noted to almost always be covered in dirt and earth, as were her dirty fingernails.[7] Sprout also almost always had a smile on her face.[7]

Personality and traits

A cheerful Professor Sprout.

Professor Sprout was noted to be very cheerful, positive and loyal,[7] but was also very professional and just and would chide her students if necessary.[44] Thus, Sprout possessed all of the virtues and aspects belonging to Hufflepuff House. She was kind and nurturing to the students, and surely encouraged Neville Longbottom's penchant for Herbology because he was anxious to show her his Mimbulus Mimbletonia.[56] She also seemed horrified when she learnt that Ginny Weasley had been kidnapped by Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk and taken into the Chamber of Secrets, clasping her shaking hand over her mouth in shock. Professor Sprout was also very brave always ready to fight for her side. During the Battle of Hogwarts, she didn't question McGonagall's decision to defend Hogwarts, but immediately sought to provide whatever assistance she could, collecting various dangerous plants to fight Voldemort and his Death Eaters.[57]

Magical abilities and skills

Professor Sprout with her wand drawn.

"Just been showing Professor Sprout the right way to doctor a Whomping Willow. But I don't want you running away with the idea that I am better at Herbology than she is!"

Hogwarts staff

Professor Sprout possibly had a good relationship with the most of Hogwarts staff. Despite her respective relationship with Minerva McGonagall,[52] Sprout also respected very much Albus Dumbledore.[49] After the Headmaster's death, Sprout was distraught.[49]

Sprout also appeared to be friendly with Horace Slughorn, the Potions Master. In 1997, Sprout helped Slughorn pick some potion herbs. She left towards her Greenhouses after she had collected enough for Slughorn's third year class, with some to spare. Slughorn also proceeded to steal some Venomous Tentacula leaves while Sprout was not around. However, he fought at the Battle of Hogwarts with Sprout.

The first physical appearance of Professor Sprout in media was in the PC/PS1 video game of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. This was long before any actress had been cast as Sprout, so her appearance was completely different from the later films and games. On the PC version, Sprout appeared as a short, not-really-overweight witch with straight black hair pulled back in a bun, a cheery face and emerald green robes. On the PS1 version, she was featured as a short witch (just a bit taller then the eleven-year old Harry Potter) wearing her red hair in a long plait down her back.

During most of the first six books, Sprout was the only Head of House whose name was not an alliteration. This was changed when Horace Slughorn replaced Severus Snape as Head of Slytherin House in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. She is also the only Head of House (with the exception of Slughorn, who was first introduced in the sixth installment) who has not appeared in all the films.